Sharpton on video: We could walk if Obama doesn’t get the nomination

posted at 5:20 pm on March 7, 2008 by Ed Morrissey

Last night, Bill O’Reilly asked Al Sharpton the $64,000 question — what happens if Hillary Clinton gets the nomination even if Barack Obama comes into Denver leading in pledged delegates? After the losses in Texas and Ohio, the new meme has the superdelegates wondering whether Obama can win a general election. If Hillary can make it closer by the time the convention rolls around, say to within 70 or so pledged delegates, the superdelegates will throw their support to the most competitive candidate.

After hesitating a bit, Sharpton makes it clear that he and his supporters won’t accept a brokered outcome:

Superdelegates are not Supermen. The party can’t say it represents the concept of one-man, one-vote democracy and then make backroom deals that ignore the popular vote and the will of the electorate. They will march in the street to protest a Hillary nomination if she comes into Denver trailing Obama.

Strong words indeed.

Duane and I discussed this today, and he thought that putting Obama at the bottom of the ticket will avoid a walkout. I don’t think Obama will be willing to tie his political fortunes to Bill and Hillary Clinton, and I don’t think that his supporters would forgive him easily if he did. The Clintons are everything that his campaign opposed — insider deals, nasty personal attack strategies, and the politics of the Beltway. Accepting that bottom slot would endorse all of that and eliminate the one advantage he gives the Democrats.

Sharpton’s threat gives Obama potent leverage to keep from accepting a convention demotion. If his supporters start talking about third-party movements, the Democrats are finished up and down the ticket — and they know it.

UPDATE: My apologies — Red Lasso seems to have a problem with this episode from O’Reilly. Hopefully it will work again soon; it worked when I loaded this initially.

Blowback

Note from Hot Air management: This section is for comments from Hot Air's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that Hot Air management agrees with or otherwise endorses any particular comment just because we let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with our terms of use may lose their posting privilege.

Every single time O’Reilly, Hannity or any other show hosts Sharpton they legitimizes someone who should be receiving public scorn. This is one of the many reasons I think Hannity is a joke. Anyone that listens to Sharpton or accepts him as a legitimate spokesman is either ill informed or willingly supports the corruption that has been the cornerstone of his career.

If the clintoon machine was ahead and Barrack O behind by the same numbers would we even be hearing of do overs in Mich. and Florida.

Not a chance the Clintoons are beyond despicable they did great damage to their own party and this country once and will do so again in their quest for power.

Why would Obama even consider vice pres for chrissake he’s ahead and looks to stay that way. If he offers she the vice pres. slot he best have extra security and sleep with one eye open else he may get suicided.

Hillary and Obama on the same ticket is a joke. If he’s #2 then he goes against the “change” he has used as his only platform from the beginning. Being a Clinton lap dog is not change, it’s an expectation. If she is #2, then Obama could be the first president to commit suicide.

Ed nails it:
“I don’t think Obama will be willing to tie his political fortunes to Bill and Hillary Clinton, and I don’t think that his supporters would forgive him easily if he did. The Clintons are everything that his campaign opposes — insider deals, nasty personal attack strategies, and the politics of the Beltway. Accepting that bottom slot would endorse all of that and eliminate the one advantage he gives the Democrats.”
Thanks for that.
My 2 cents worth are: The Hispanic vote will get split between BO and McCain because of the anti-black vote of the Hispanic community and because some of them will know that JMc an open borders, global guy…in that way he’s Bush III.
(Anyone remember HRC saying that Bush dropped the ball on immigration? Wow…she wasn’t paying attention.)
I hate to jinx it, but it looks like (after 8-7 months of withering fire at BO) our side wins. However, it depends on how you define ‘win’. We have a long, hard slog to go before the next long, hard slog.

ok, i really don’t like Al either, but though gone are the days of the pompadour, medallion & polyester sweat suit outfits, i must admit (if im being honest) that he does have moments (albeit brief ones)of sanity. in this case, i agree with him and thought he acted human. he didn’t wrinkle his nose up with that disdainful look of anger, and spew his hate. i’d be pretty pissed if that same scenario unfolded against “my guy”, and El Presidente Señor Juan McCain took the nomination that way. Al said “if she did it unfairly…”, and O’Reilly simply wanted to get Al going and wouldn’t stop until he got Al to give him the sound bite that he wanted to hear. OK…there…i said it. now i’ve proven i’m not a racist for 24 hours. until next time…adiós mis amigos! (just trying learn the new American lingo…get’n ready!)